Phila. City Council Honors Citizen, Detectives Who Helped Save Kidnap Victim
By Walt Hunter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Applause filled City Council chambers Thursday morning, as a citizen and detectives received commendations and standing ovations, for their roles in helping save kidnap victim Carlesha Gaither and capture her alleged abductor.
Dwayne Fletcher was honored for spotting the crime and immediately notifying police, a decision that may well have saved the 22-year-old's life, as she was dragged off a Germantown Street and thrown into a car, the start of a three-day ordeal.
Gaither was rescued when federal agents surrounded her car in Jessup ,Maryland, saving her, and arresting suspect Delvin Barnes.
"He's my hero, he's my daughter's hero," Carlesha's father told reporters. "If it weren't for him, she wouldn't be here right now."
Fletcher, referring to what he called troubles in his past life, explained, "When we get an opportunity to show we can do better, we can do it, just give us a chance."
Also honored, Philadelphia detective James Sloan and fellow investigators who worked non-stop to find Gaither.
"Thank God the citizens worked with us," Sloan explained, "everything just clicked."
Carlesha's father and grandfather also called her a "hero", explaining, for the first time how ,in addition to attacking the suspect with a hammer as she tried to escape, she also managed to "befriend" him ,helping her in her struggle to survive.
Commenting on the honors for his officers and Fletcher, Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Ross said, "It just shows what can be done when we work together."
Barnes, indicted today by a federal grand jury, faces a hearing tomorrow in federal court to determine if he will be held behind bars to await trial.
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